The Backlog Check-In Vol. 437: 5/16/26: Forza Horizon 6 Edition

[argyle]

Thrifty Business (PC) - May 18
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) - May 19
Forza Horizon 6 (PC, Xbox Series X/S) - May 19
R-Type Dimensions III (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2) - May 19
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core (PC) - May 20
Thick as Thieves (PC early access) - May 20
SpaceCraft (PC early access) - May 20
Arcane Merchant (PC) - May 20
Coffee Talk Tokyo (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2) - May 21
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (Switch 2) - May 21
Ex Sanguis (PC early access) - May 21
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies (PC) - May 21
Beastro (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S) - May 21
The Guardian of Nature (PC & Mac) - May 21
Walk the Frog (PC & Mac) - May 21
Bubsy 4D (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, Switch 2) - May 22
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S) - May 22




Games added: Nothing

Last week: Finished Black Jacket, played Crimson Desert.

This week: Crimson Desert & Forza Horizon 6

The final ending of Black Jacket was a little underwhelming. I actually thought for sure that there was a better ending if I did something else, but after looking into it apparently there's not. The individual stories wrap up well, but the final ending just left me wanting more. Still, the game was a lot of fun & I did enjoy the individual stories, so I'd still recommend it.

Over 200 hours in CD now, and I'm still discovering new things you can do that I didn't know about. Absolutely insane game.

Hey, it's another Argyle's Retro Movie Review!

As promised, the missus and I watched Diner this past weekend. I really enjoyed it! Was surprised I hadn't heard of it before, let alone seen it, especially given all the big names in it. I found it to be kinda Tarantino-esque - the non-violent aspects of his stuff, that is. Specifically, I told my wife that the dialog reminded me a little of the opening scene to Reservoir Dogs where they're sitting around debating tipping. It had that kind of vibe to it, and was very well written - I completely bought that this was a close group of friends. And the depection of them being in that in-between period between high school & "real" adulthood was very well portrayed. I guess my only minor gripe is I didn't feel Kevin Bacon's motivations got explained very well (unless I missed something, which is possible, it's a movie with a lot going on). He was obviously very troubled, but I didn't get what specifically about. Still, there are a lot of threads and they are all weaved together very well. I thought it was excellent - 4 out of 5 stars, would definitely watch again.

[canedaddy]

As promised, the missus and I watched Diner this past weekend. I really enjoyed it! Was surprised I hadn't heard of it before, let alone seen it, especially given all the big names in it. I found it to be kinda Tarantino-esque - the non-violent aspects of his stuff, that is. Specifically, I told my wife that the dialog reminded me a little of the opening scene to Reservoir Dogs where they're sitting around debating tipping. It had that kind of vibe to it, and was very well written - I completely bought that this was a close group of friends. And the depection of them being in that in-between period between high school & "real" adulthood was very well portrayed. I guess my only minor gripe is I didn't feel Kevin Bacon's motivations got explained very well (unless I missed something, which is possible, it's a movie with a lot going on). He was obviously very troubled, but I didn't get what specifically about. Still, there are a lot of threads and they are all weaved together very well. I thought it was excellent - 4 out of 5 stars, would definitely watch again.

Hey, glad you enjoyed it! Like I said, it's special to me because of the Baltimore stuff (the diner itself, the local accents, the Baltimore Colts stuff, etc.), but I'd dig it even if it didn't have any of that.

My next recommendations are "The Right Stuff" for something that's just great and "Repo Man" for something that's crazy and entertaining.



Played recently: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

Finished: nothing

Added to backlog: nothing

Really enjoying my time with DQ3. It's a nice big helping of comfort food. Nothing wild or surprising, just a really nice dish of something I know I enjoy.

[jfissel]

Finished: Nothing

Now Playing: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Added to Backlog: Nothing

Current Backlog: 36 games

Indiana Jones is still great! Some very funny moments (Indy taking confession of a fascist in the Sistine Chapel, anyone?) and I'm hopefully finishing up the Vatican story part soon.

[isthatallyougot]

Really enjoying my time with DQ3. It's a nice big helping of comfort food. Nothing wild or surprising, just a really nice dish of something I know I enjoy.

It's funny you mention the word "comfort" because after finishing DQ VIII a while back, that is exactly the word that came to mind about how I think I'll feel with this series going forward. There's seems to be a pretty clear formula with plenty of familiar staples and elements, and yet there's experimentation and variation within those comforting confines so that things feel both "homey" and fresh. I surely missed the boat by postponing my adventures with the series. I'm even interested in going back to the very beginning - not even talking about the remakes, just so I can kind of get my bearings for the evolution of things. I was a big fan of XI and VIII only cemented and even enhanced that fandom. What a wonderful franchise!

I've never seen Diner, I don't think...or even heard of it? IDK, old brains are old.

[argyle]

So I just finished watching American Gangster. It was...fine? Well acted, as you would suspect from the cast, but pretty by-the-numbers for this kind of movie. Gangster movies that glamorize crime have become as formulaic as musical biopics. It was based on a true story - loosely. Very loosely, apparently. It was obvious that they had made Denzel's character out to be some kind of "morally grey but still somewhat good" guy, when we all know the truth of these things. I looked up the real guy on Wikipedia after the movie, and I think this quote from the judge who convicted him sums it up:

Judge Sterling Johnson Jr. described the film as "one percent reality and ninety-nine percent Hollywood." In addition, Johnson described the real-life Lucas as "illiterate, vicious, violent, and everything Denzel Washington was not."

That sounds more believable. I think the movie would have been more interesting and stood out more if it had centered more on the cop pursuing him (Russel Crowe's character) as the main protagonist (he is somewhat, but the film is clearly more centered around making you root for Denzel) and stayed more true to real-life events, making Denzel's character more in line with reality. As it stands, the movie is fine, but I doubt I'll watch it again, and I can see why I never heard enough about it to notice it before now.

I have a couple of recent releases I want to watch, so I'll probably pick one for my next watch. Either Project Hail Mary or Normal.

Oh, almost forgot - Cane, I want to say I've seen The Right Stuff before, but it's been ages, so it's one I've been meaning to rewatch. And Repo Man has also been on my radar - actually, I think I started that one maybe last year, but the wife wasn't into it, so we turned it off, and I just haven't gotten back around to watching it on my own. I'll bump it up the list.

[argyle]

So we watched Normal last night (btw, I'm just posting these mini movie reviews here instead of digging up that old movie thread I made since the boards are slow these days anyway, don't imagine anyone cares ) and it was fantastic. An action movie with a great original twist that knew the assignment and got it done in about 1:30. I think that if you had told me the sleezy lawyer from Breaking Bad would be a great action movie lead in a few years, I would have laughed at you, but here we are, and he really is. There's a lot of great dark humor in this one, some amazingly gory-but-played-for-laughs kills, and it's just a great time all around. Easy five stars, must watch for anyone who loves a good action movie.

I know I'm not going into the plot at all, but it's better that way. Go in blind & ready to have a good time.

[canedaddy]

So we watched Normal last night and it was fantastic. An action movie with a great original twist that knew the assignment and got it done in about 1:30. I think that if you had told me the sleezy lawyer from Breaking Bad would be a great action movie lead in a few years, I would have laughed at you, but here we are, and he really is. There's a lot of great dark humor in this one, some amazingly gory-but-played-for-laughs kills, and it's just a great time all around. Easy five stars, must watch for anyone who loves a good action movie.

I will put that on my watch list! Sounds like my kind of movie.

(btw, I'm just posting these mini movie reviews here instead of digging up that old movie thread I made since the boards are slow these days anyway, don't imagine anyone cares )

Yeah, I think we're safe.

[crimson_tide]

Do you mean Nobody? It sounds like you're describing Nobody. 100 minute or less movies were the goddamn BEST, we need to get back there someday.

Also, I like 48 Hours (Another 48 Hours not so much) and American Gangster took place in my hometown of Paterson, NJ so I am supposed to care. Or something. Well, Denzel is always going to Denzel so it has that going for it .

Played: DQB2. Finished the Deitree in Furrowfield! ******* DELIGHTFUL GAME! I think we're going to get off the island now and go to a new one soon. My next town will be way better crafted than my first janky mess but it's my janky mess at least. Looking forward to more of this and might play DQ2 one day now since apparently it's like a loose sequel to that game.

Bought: Nothing

Beat: Nothing

This week: DQB2 and I might turn on my PS5 since it Memorial Day weekend !...we shall see...

[canedaddy]

Do you mean Nobody? It sounds like you're describing Nobody. 100 minute or less movies were the goddamn BEST, we need to get back there someday.

Well "Normal" apparently fits the bill too.

Played: DQB2. Finished the Deitree in Furrowfield! ******* DELIGHTFUL GAME! I think we're going to get off the island now and go to a new one soon. My next town will be way better crafted than my first janky mess but it's my janky mess at least.

I really enjoyed both DQ Builders. I wonder if they'll ever make another one? I had some crazy stuff going on in DQB2.